Very faded record – extremely difficult to read on microfilm but a journal entry established the divorce as granted on 22 Nov 1889.

The couple was married on 3 July 1884 in Amboy, Hillsdale Co, MI. According to the online marriage record, Samuel H. Bloom was 44 and Elizabeth Cook was 28 years old, both natives of Ohio – he of Richland Co c1840, and she of Seneca Co c1856. Note that these approximate birth dates are not accurate.

Elizabeth said she had very delicate health. Samuel used abusive language and was violent. The couple had at least one child. Without provocation he threatened to throw her out of the house and whip her with a horsewhip. He has a personal problem (?) and finally locked her out of the house. She sought a temporary injunction at the Defiance Ohio Court of Common Pleas; this injunction or another one was recorded in Williams County per Journal 15. He had land and there is a description (not easy to decipher). He also had 2 red and white spotted cows, one red steer, and 14 head of sheep.

Subpoenas were made for the following to give testimony for Elizabeth (1 Nov 1889):

Charles Newcomb

Devy Newcomb

Ella Stiving

George Burns

Mrs. Rebecca Sheets

Ralph Scranton

Peter Moore

John Inerly

Nora Shinnebarger

George Shinnebarger

John Shinnebarger

Sarah J Kinsely

Subpoenas were made for the following to give testimony for Samuel:

Samuel Bistline

George Newcomb

Robert Newcomb

Laura A Bloom

Mrs. Andy Esterline

Mrs. Erin Maneval

Mrs. John Bavin

Samuel Flowers

Mrs. Mary Ebaugh

Solomon Keller

George Shaffer

William F Lutz

Mary J Bloom

George Webber

Samuel in his answer said he was not an able-bodied man for many years and can’t perform manual labor. His personal property was no greater than $100; his real estate was mortgaged. Prior to this marriage he was married to another woman and had three minors, two of whom depend on him; their mother is dead.

Samuel said Elizabeth was not fit to have custody of children. She is profane, vulgar, and a smoker. She has 20 pipes full of tobacco in one day.

A divorce was granted per Journal 15 p111 whereby Elizabeth charged Samuel with extreme cruelty and gross neglect. She was restored to her maiden name of Cook, an alimony schedule was set, she retained some property in Madison Twp, and was custodian of minor children – Henry B, SC who was 4Y, and William FC who was 1Y. Here is what I’ve been able to find on the couple:

Samuel H. Bloom was the son of Samuel and Mary Campbell Bloom; he was born on 17 Mar 1839 in Richland Co, OH.

Elizabeth Cook, born 1867 in Seneca Co, Ohio, was the daughter of Henry and Catherine Holtzburg/Hulsburg Cook.

Elizabeth Cook 13 OH living with her parents; her siblings were John, Mary, Charles, Franklin, and Elnora

Samuel and his first wife, Mary Kessell/Kissel, had a daughter, Laura A, born c1874 in Ohio, a son, George Elmer, born on 22 Sept 1877 in Madison Twp, Williams Co, OH, a daughter, Florence, born on 14 Apr 1879 in Madison Twp, Williams Co, OH, and a daughter, Sarah A, born 26 Oct 1882 in Madison Twp, Williams Co, OH. Mary A. Bloom was born in 1845, Richland Co, OH and died on 28 Jan 1883 in Madison Twp, Williams Co, OH (Death V2 p19); shortly after her death, their son George Elmer died on 5 Feb 1883 (Death V2 p19) – both of lung fever.

Samuel and Elizabeth had a son, Henry B., born on 20 Feb 1885, Alvordton, Millcreek Twp, Williams Co, OH, and a son, John William, born on 2 May 1888, Madison Twp, Williams Co, OH.

Shortly before the divorce proceedings began Samuel set up a guardianship for the three girls, Florence, Laura, and Mary on 6 Apr 1889 (Probate case number 2993). Divorce proceedings were going on between Sept-Nov 1889.

Samuel H Bloom died in Fulton Co, OH on 29 Apr 1920. He was buried in Primrose Cem, Millcreek Twp, Williams Co, OH (1839-1920) along with his first wife, and children George Elmer and Laura A (1874-1894). Daughter Florence Malburg was later buried there too (1879-1941).